NEWS ARCHIVE

Omaree Overlooked

A new report provides disturbing new details on the case of a 9-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death by hos own mother

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 10:55 PM MST Jan 6, 2014

Omaree Overlooked

A new report provides disturbing new details on the case of a 9-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death by hos own mother

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 10:55 PM MST Jan 6, 2014

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT DISTURBING NEW DETAILS ON THE CASE OF A 9 YEAR OLD BOY, ALLEGEDLY BEATEN TO DEATH BY HIS OWN MOTHER. BUT A NUMBER OF AGENCIES CONTINUE TO POINT FINGERS ABOUT WHO MAY HAVE DROPPED THE BALL, WHEN THE CHILD FIRST REPORTED CLAIMS OF ABUSE. AND AS ACTION 7 NEWS ANCHOR TANYA MENDIS REPORTS, THE CALLS FOR CHANGE ARE GETTING LOUDER. THE SAME MOTHER ACCUSED OF BEATING HER SON TO DEATH-- WAS ACCUSED ONE YEAR EARLIER OF BEATING HER SON WITH A HOUSE PHONE IN THE FACE.. AND WHIPPING HIM WITH A BELT. AND AS THE DETAILS OF OMAREE VARELA'S TROUBLED SHORT LIFE CONTINUE TO EMERGE.. SO DOES A CASE OF HE SAID, SHE SAID. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS .. NO ONE TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. 2:36 we never received any reports from law enforcement BUT ACCORDING TO THIS REPORT.. THE ALBUQUERQUE POLICE OFFICER WAS SO CONCERNED BY THE ALLEGED ABUSE HE SAW-- HE WAS PLANNING TO ASK THE D-A TO INVESTIGATE .. APD IS TRYING TO CONFIRM WHETHER THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. WHAT WE DO KNOW IS OMAREE EVENTUALLY WENT BACK INTO HIS MOTHER'S CARE.. AND FOR THE NEXT YEAR, NO ONE--NOT HIS FAMILY MEMBERS, NOR HIS TEACHERS--CALLED THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO REPORT ANY OTHER ABUSE. UNTIL THE CALL LAST MONTH THAT OMAREE HAD DIED. LAWMAKERS SAY SOMETHING NEEDS TO CHANGE. 2:36 somewhere somehow the ball was just let go and we need to find out where that hole in the system is so no more children have to go through this STATE SENATOR LINDA LOPEZ WANTS CYFD TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT. SHE' BACKING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE SOCIAL WORKERS TO REPORT TO A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, TELLING THEM ABOUT THEIR CASE LOAD- 1:43 so we can see how we can help EITHER BY INCREASING FUNDING, HIRING MORE STAFF OR BY TIGHTENING STATE LAWS. 2:26 to make sure that all of our children are cared for ONE MORE STEP TO MAKE SURE KIDS LIKE OMAREE DON'T FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS WITH TRAGIC RESULTS. TM KOAT A7N THE GOVERNOR IS NOW PUSHING FOR LAWS THAT WOULD ALLOW C.Y.F.D TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM A HOME...AND CONDUCT FOLLOW UP INVESTIGATIONS, AFTER AN ABUSE CASE IS CLOSED.

Omaree Overlooked

A new report provides disturbing new details on the case of a 9-year-old boy allegedly beaten to death by hos own mother